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MOSCOW, January 11 (RIA Novosti)-Iran's decision to resume research into enriching uranium is both disappointing and alarming, Russia's defense minister said Wednesday.
Sergei Ivanov, who is also a deputy prime minister, told journalists that Iran had made the decision to restart its research unilaterally.
Ivanov refused to comment on the possibility that Iran's "nuclear file" might be referred to the UN Security Council, which has the power to impose sanctions on the Persian Gulf country if it is found to be in breach of its international commitments. A number of countries, led by the United States, suspect Tehran of secretly developing nuclear weapons and are pushing for the matter to be referred.
After saying he would not speak about what may happen, Ivanov did say, "Russia as a permanent member of the UN Security Council is entitled to act as the situation may demand. But at any rate the situation is not developing in the best way."
Last week Tehran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, that it would resume practical research into nuclear fuel technologies on January 9, pointing out that the research would be conducted in compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and under the IAEA's supervision.
Iran initially suspended its nuclear research two years ago after negotiations with the EU trio of France, Germany and Britain that were intended to help shore up the international community's faith in its nuclear program. -0-
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